“We want you to be successful.”

 

It’s nearly 8 weeks into a new year (School Year 2024-2025) as Art Teacher at Confluence Academies’ Old North Campus. I was hired a year ago and accepted the contract for another year. The administration had hired me after a convincing interview that included a personal demonstration of my approach during Summer School. I was hired to provide guidance for Middle Schoolers who might benefit from the district's philosophy and belief in “Pathway to the Arts.”

Dr. Boxley, the school Principal, was enthusiastic about my hire. She was very strong in the persuasive notion that the “Specials Team” shared vision, that included two coaches, a librarian, a family and consumer science (FACS) teacher, a STEM teacher (who she hoped would soon be a STEAM teacher incorporating the Arts as well), a music teacher, and a dance/movement teacher and me (The Art Teacher).

The best laid plans as we know don’t always play out. Half of the specials team did NOT return and NONE of the balance were pleased with the schedule that changed dramatically. For me, it meant that I was to teach ALL grade levels (PreK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8^th) within a schedule that changed on A, B, C, and D days. I try to be the best I can be under the circumstances. BUT with class sizes averaging over 20 means I need to inspire and motivate scholars for up to 26 classes a week.

Remember this is an underserved community and behavior management is an enormous challenge for anyone charged to instruct these age groups. The Admin Staff has changed dramatically and the Principal had been out sick for weeks. There has to be consequences. Running, Fighting, Throwing Things, and wholesale silliness makes for more than a few problems for me. That said, I am excited by the sparks of quality creativity and effort from a handful of students that validate the value of teaching art.    

The administration suggests they want me to be successful. It feels like a bureaucratic tap dance that puts the blame on me instead of fixing some pretty basic problems (including too many students and not enough of a reasonable adult to child ratio to keep behaviors under control). I continue to believe that engaged students can and will have fun learning about art. I need to work the room and demonstrate techniques and encourage triumphs as they occur.

What I DON’T NEED is a series of academic coaches making blanket suggestions and dictating how to fix some of the ridiculousness. I almost never yell. I am against the harsh sounding threatening “mommy voice” that teachers and administrators seem to employ here. It appears to work, but I have observed that is is not a real solution. 1. It isn’t fair to yell at an entire class when more often than not there are only a few being truly disruptive. (Admittedly, the social nature of youngsters does escalate with peer spectators reacting to inappropriate actions).

I threw two 8^th grade boys out of my class because they were fighting. (I don’t care it is was a “play fight” or just horse play. It cannot be tolerated as it is sure to escalate if allowed to continue.) You’re Out! The academic coach, Mr. Neal (who insists that procedure such as seating charts and stern talk of “expectations” will be the solution if only Mr. Morgan would listen to his wisdom). He returned with the fighting-offenders saying they needed to be returned to the room. “NOT HERE. NO FIGHTING“ was my emphatic response.  My not allowing them back in results in a public display (for the onlooking 8^th graders who had settled into their assignments until the adults strongly disagreeing on an appropriate coarse of action provides something to consider as I am undermined again in front of students. Rejecting the return of these two boys, I directed them to leave. The administrator fuels the controversy with “Where are they gonna go?” and “Don’t you put your hands on them!” I Gently directed one of the two boys to leave the room. It is preposterous to characterize the pat on the back as anything uncalled for in this scenario.

Separately, the Arts coach included in her preachy remarks that managing classroom behavior is no different than managing adults in the workforce (as I had indicated I have done in my career path that incudes managing marketing in corporate environments). This 30-year veteran of education, Dr. Crawford clearly was determined to set herself apart as an expert on classroom behavior, lesson planning and procedures.

The interim principal, Ms. Todd is genuinely trying to hold down the fort but it is no small challenge holding this unruly chaos to a dull roar. In fact, the school is having trouble keeping teachers as they struggle to maintain attendance better than 90%, improve assessment test scores and stay competitive for enrollment.

 

PHOTOS: Angels of Harmony sculpture adjacent to The Cathedral Basilica was recently accosted by a crane operator. The Artist hopes to restore the work. Below: The building across the street from Old North Academy represents the community in distress. 

P.S. I got a letter of reprimand handed to me in an ambush of a meeting on October 7, 2024 led by the Chief Human Resources Officer.  (As a response to my kicking two fighting 8th grade students out of my class and refusing to allow them back into my class). Meanwhile I am still waiting for PowerSchool updates  for my classes requested by the Assistant Principal on September 30, 2024. (Still is not completed for all grades until October 14, 2024). 

I am not convinced that anyone at this struggling school really cares about my "success" as I continue to SHOW UP for classes on A B C and D days with up to 26 classes with nearly 400 students each week in grades from Pre K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8th grade, (THIS IS A NO WIN SITUATION FOR WAM). Walk a mile in my shoes for a full day (A,B.C. or D day before you judge me). Oh, and for the record, I have 383 students and they keep piling on with the admin adding classes whenever they see "support" in my schedule. So Adams "CLC" and an additional Kindergarten class has been added to my load in October. 

NOTE: On October 31, 2024 the CLC crew (12 of them) at 8:05 managed to be well enough behaved for better than 50% completion my assignment (6 squares for coloring pencil). At 9:05 Ms. Cooley's 8th graders (12 more students) lined up at my door), Same assignment in both classes, I tried to get enough attention while they did this mindful activity to talk about the artist Claude Monet. One student actually paid attention as a favor to her art teacher. Another student, who had previously been ejected for fighting apparently still holds a grudge. He would not listen to instruction. He refused. I told him to get the F out of my room (Yes, I used the F  bomb, probable because I heard that word used by students this day - no less than a dozen times). 

The student struck me several times about the head, arm and torso until I got a nose bleed, lumps on my head, a bump on my cheek and what will surely be a black eye. I screamed for HELP as I was completely defenseless and unable to strike back. I was not willing to stay at school while the sub nurse and security team of two tried to cover the school with protocols for workman's comp and what I can only assume to be "cover your ass liability" reasons. It's sad that I continue to feel such a lack of support, even as the school piles-on classes/duties. 

Successful? I feel much more like a failure.\

AND SO IT GOES: On Friday, November 15, 2024 (after six classes) the acting principal and a representative for the HR department ambush me again. Leaving me no choice but to resign. Disappointing. I feel like I was set up to fail...not to succeed. 

 

Confluence Golf 2024

I signed up for the Confluence Academies golf event at Forest Park because I love golf and I am a proud teacher (of Art) at Old North Academy. The event was designed to raise money for athletics programs at five of the charter schools campuses.

"You are paired with Anthony and you are gonna start on hole #9 on the Redbud course before your head over to the Dogwood 9." That suits me just fine. My partner Anthony is fine too, as the dynamics of the event means we will have our own carts and as a twosome in a four-man scramble have  two shots each for the 18 holes. (It was never about winning for me anyway.) How poetic is it that our starting hole is showcased in a painting in the clubhouse. (Above)

The event is well organized and this is the 4th annual for Confluence but arguably the best weather day  (this year or ever for this event). 

The event included lunch served at 11:00 am and a 12:00 noon shotgun start. There were opportunities to buy 50/50 raffle tickets and you could buy mulligans. I hope the coaches at CPA and the schools of the charter network of Confluence Academies got enough smiles from the event as I did.

I was able to join my golf league night at Creve Coeur after the round on this perfect July 18, 2024 golf day.

 

AMA at CCGC 2024

Well, we did it again. The American Marketing Association of Saint Louis once again held our annual golf event at Creve Coeur Golf Course. This year the field included teams from Robert Half and Steady Rain.

Randy Niederer managed to win with a low net score of 38. Daryl Vandiver won the B-Flight. Lachlan Cook of Steady Rain team won the closest to pin on #2 and Long Drive on #8 (and, by the way, his wife fell in love with a cat that may soon be added to the Cook household).

It was a beautiful day and a memorable round, Thanks to all who participated in this event. (Dave Cox, Randy Niederer, Dave Shogren, Tom Nieder, Kathy McGuire Mullens, Andrew Mullens, Marco Tocco, cameo by Eric Rhiney and incoming first lady, Tyler Kelly, Steady Rain foursome, Robert Half foursome, Daryl Vandiver, John Fortner, Tom Nenninger, and pre round cameo from Mark Bretz).

Congratulations to Lachlan Cook on wining closest to the pin on #2 and long drive on #8. Closest to the pin on #9 went to Andrew Mullens.

Note: Yeah that's Randy kissing the trophy last year and he wins again this year. Photo being presented with our goofy trophy this year on 6/28/2024. 

Notes: Maybe Fortner can get Bender back as sponsor in 25. Sorry other obligations/circumstances prevented appearances by Mogley, Shaughnessy, Perry Drake, John Grizzell resulted in RSVP regrets. Maybe next year.

 

Meet the Met

 

Ben once again was able to accomodate my obsession with art museums with a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the end of my Fathers Day weekend trip East. I got to meet and listen to the author Peter Bringley, author of All The Beauty in the World this past year and that made this visit even more special.

Rothko 1949, Picasso 1905, and Degas Dancer are just a few highlights for me on this visit. We found our way to the rooftop and visited a special exhibition about the Harlem Renaissance. What a remarkable place the Met truly is... 

Founded in 1870 The Met collects, studies, conserves, and presents works of art across time and cultures. It is an encyclopedic art museum that is the largest in the Americas and forth largest in the world. It is one of the largest and finest art museums in the world. 

Rothko painting from 1949.

The Picasso painting from 1904 has Picasso dressed as Harlequin and with Germaine in Paris.

Picasso's best friend, Casagemas (1880–1901), the son of the American consul general in Barcelona, was a year older than Picasso. A painter and poet, he accompanied Picasso to Paris to visit the World's Fair in autumn 1900. There, he fell in love with Laure Gargallo, known as Germaine, who ultimately spurned his affections. In despair, Casagemas committed suicide on February 17, 1901, after first attempting to kill Germaine. Picasso was already back in Barcelona by that time but was deeply affected by the news. Nevertheless, when he returned to Paris in May 1901, he took up residence in Casagemas's former apartment and began a liaison with Germaine. Picasso's blue period is often sited as part of the reason for the short period of Picasso's work.

Degas Little Dancer sculpture.

All the Beauty in the World, authored by Patrick Bringley. (I had the pleasure of meeting the author at Saint Louis Art Museum this past year.)

All reactions

My Kids and Their Kids

Lindsey and her boy Lawton were in town for an opera staring Andrew Morstein as Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville. I could not resist being Papa tour guide and add Laumeier Sculpture Park, The Saint Louis Art Museum, The Missouri History Museum, The Gateway Arch and Creve Coeur Golf Course. Lawton will turn 8 at camp on July 5.  

Ben treated me to a trip to Ocean, New Jersey over Father's Day weekend. Ben masterfully managed Newark airport pick up. Allison took over driving in her new Kia as we collected her mom, Jean and James for the trip to The Grounds for Sculpture. The 40+acres celebrate monumental sculpture. This beautiful day was picture perfect for photo-opps to capture works inspired by Renoir, Monet, Grant Wood and more. (I enjoyed seeing the Bernar Vernet, Isaac Witkin and innovative contemporary art installations and the infamous Marilyn Monroe on subway grates inspired by the 1955 film Seven Year Itch.) We celebrated donut day at The Purple Glaze and enjoyed our designer donuts on Lynn's Memorial Bench at Asbury Park Beach boardwalk. 

Aunt Deborah and Uncle David hosted a fathers' day BBQ at their house. Grandma Toby (The Matriarch) was generous with fathers day cards for Wes, Ben, David, and Perry. Autumn, Samson, Marlow, ...neighbor mother of five with three of the five stopped over. (Max and Mary, Daniel and his sister and Randy were no shows this year). 

  

 

 

OMG BCS Dave and More

 

Dave Shogren is a Renaissance Man. He runs a export business. He is president of the Saint Louis Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). He teaches marketing. He writes and performs music. Sitting in the upstairs venue, Jack's Joint, at O'Connell's last night (6-7-24) I could not help but reflect on my friend Dave and his unique abilities and ongoing drive.

I met Dave more than 24 years ago when he was a key man at a food broker firm, Resource One. He was a right hand man in that business and quickly became an important member of the AMA board as VP Treasurer. He rejoined the board a few years ago and served as President 2023-24. He artfully combines his interests and activities and I've enjoyed watching Dave as leader and as musician. 

Noddin' Dave and OMG is one of his musical ensembles. Listening to "Big Foot Boogie" last night I was mindful of the personal history of this song that was created, in part, when visiting his brother in Oregon. I saw Dave perform the song at the AMA Leadership Summit, in Chicago, with three people he recruited from the audience as part of a five minute speech he gave last year. I saw Dave and his band perform at Crown Candy Plaza in Old North as part of neighborhood House Tour/Art Fair event in September 2023. I've been in the audience when Dave and his band, Benbow City Shuffle (BCS) performed at Evangeline's in the Central West End and at the Marine Transport Golf Event in Alton, Illinois. (I like being the fan base of Dave's musical endeavors from Tiny Desk Concert to Old North)

Dave and his wife Linda have become close friends as they have tolerated me as a tag along on road trips (where Dave drives) to Lincoln, NB, Chicago, KC, and Lake of the Ozarks. We've racked up an impressive list of adventures in the last couple of years, to be sure. His USA International Foods business/shop window has served as an impromptu gallery for student artwork from my students at Old North Academy too. 

Needless to say, I'm grateful for my friend Dave. 

 

Tiny Moose Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

 

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on June 4, 2024 at the Ozarks Amphitheater with Dave and Linda Shogren and Al Funk. We road tripped from Saint Louis and enjoyed Tiny Moose, Chris Galloway's band, as opening act. Priceless.